The Government and Politics of New York State

Comprehensive overview of New York State government and politics.

In this updated edition of his classic text, Joseph F. Zimmerman offers a balanced presentation of the institutions and political processes of the Empire State. He begins with an overview of the state and offers chapters on federal-state and interstate relations; state-local relations; the constitution; political parties, elections, and interest groups; the state legislature; the governor; the “fourth branch” (the departments and agencies of the executive branch); the judiciary; and state finance, including state-local fiscal relations. Zimmerman emphasizes the legal foundations of the state as they influence greatly the behavior of leading public officers and interest groups. Most importantly, constitutional restrictions on the state legislature and local governments are examined, as well as the ingenious ways by which several restrictions upon the state legislature have been circumvented.

“Within the American system of government, the states play an extremely important role. For that reason, I think that residents of all states have a need to become as well informed as possible about the structure and workings of their state governments, and about the political forces that influence the workings of their state governments. This comprehensive and informative survey of New York State government and politics will fill that need and also serve as an excellent text for college courses.” — Frank J. Mauro, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and Executive Director of the Fiscal Policy Institute